Provides information for older residents that helps them remain engaged in the community

Advocates to make Brookline an even better place to live for seniors and everyone.

Become a member of BrooklineCAN! Request a membership brochure by calling 617-730-2777 or visit www.BrooklineCAN.org

Dear Brookline Neighbor,

This month we tell you about a number of informative programs available locally and we report on BrooklineCAN's annual meeting in September. We provide information on the successes of Climate Action Brookline in bringing solar energy to homes and businesses, we inform you of our library's Senior Socials, and much more. Please tell your friends about BrooklineCAN... in fact, forward this newsletter to them.

Warmly,
BrooklineCAN

October 15 Talk on Nutritional Support for Healthy Brain FunctionCome to hear psychiatrist James Greenblatt, M.D. discuss "Personalized Nutritional Support for Optimal Aging". Presented by BrooklineCAN and Adult & Community Education, this program will address ways to enhance your mental health and support healthy brain function as you age. Dr. Greenblatt will present information on new research that supports the role nutritional deficiencies play in mental health and cognitive functioning, and he will discuss how vitamins and minerals can be used as part of a treatment regime. This event will take place on Wednesday, October 15, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm in Hunneman Hall at the Main Brookline Library, 361 Washington St. Reserve your seat by calling 617-730-2777.

Senior Center Autumn Benefit October 29Support the Senior Center and all its good work by attending the Annual Autumn Benefit Wednesday, October 29 at 6:00 pm. This year the Center is honoring Elias Audy, a long-time supporter and much-loved community benefactor and businessman. The top floor of the Senior Center will be transformed for the evening into a spectacular ballroom with hors d'oeuvres, wine, a sumptuous buffet, a dance band, and more. Tickets are $100 per person ($65 per senior).

Look for your invitation in the mail, at the Senior Center, or at the Senior Center website, www.brooklineseniorcenter.org. RSVP to Ruthann Dobek at 617-730-2756 or e-mail her at rdobek@brooklinema.gov by Wednesday, October 22 to ensure your space at this special event.

"Critters that go bump in the night."This is not a Halloween story! Bats, ants, mice and other creepy creatures often make themselves at home where they are not welcome! On Wednesday, October 22, BrooklineCAN's Service Referral Committee and the Brookline Health Department will present a panel discussion on pest control solutions. Representatives from the Brookline Health Department, local pest control service providers, and other town departments will offer tips and suggestions for dealing with pests. The Service Referral Committee will also be available to explain how to find a variety of pre-screened service providers for BrooklineCAN members. This program will be held at the Brookline Senior Center, 93 Winchester Street, from 5:30 - 7:00 pm. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free of charge, but seating is limited, so be sure to register by calling 617-730-2770.

Annual Meeting Celebrates Brookline's Age-Friendly AchievementsAt our annual meeting on September 17, town officials joined BrooklineCAN and Senior Center leaders in celebrating Brookline's participation in the World Health Organization's initiative to encourage age-friendly cities and towns. Around the world there are about 208 initiatives and in the United States, about 40. Frank Caro pointed out that Brookline has had an excellent record of addressing the concerns of older residents. Participation in the initiative means that Brookline's many departments, commissions and committees will further stress such features as transportation, pedestrian issues, safe housing, and involving older citizens in community affairs. About 150 people attended the meeting, including representatives of ten town departments. Everyone enjoyed the delicious catering from Vine Ripe Grill and tapped their feet to the outstanding music by the Brookline High School Music Collective. For a copy of BrooklineCAN's Annual Report click here or pick one up at the Senior Center.

Hearing on Medical Marijuana Warrant ArticleThe Livable Community Advocacy committee encourages members to attend a hearing on Article 14 of the Warrant for the special Town meeting in November concerned with medical marijuana dispensaries. The article proposes that the dispensaries be located at least 500 feet from day care centers. Because day care centers are widespread in commercial areas in Brookline, the effect of the proposal would be to eliminate the possibility of locating a dispensary in Brookline. Town Meeting has adopted a zoning bylaw permitting a dispensary. However, opposition has emerged to the sites that have been proposed to date. The proposal is of interest to seniors because medical marijuana is likely to be useful to some seniors who are suffering from painful chronic diseases and injuries. The hearing is October 2 at 7:30 pm in Room 111 of Town Hall.

Solar Energy Programs for BrooklineClimate Action Brookline (CAB) http://climateactionbrookline.org/supports major programs to bring solar energy to Brookline. For Solarize Brookline, a State sponsored program, CAB took the lead in getting the word out. From April to September 2013, they conducted 10 canvasses to 1,350 single family homes in Brookline. From 461 contacts, 63 contracts were sold..

A second program "Community Shared Solar" (CSS) allows residents of apartments, owners or renters of commercial properties, and owners of condominiums, to participate in Next Step Living, an energy efficiency company that solarizes the electrical power they depend on. They can become owners, or invest in a shared system on an industrial building or on open land. At a recent meeting, CAB members learned about a Community Shared Solar (CSS) project at Corey Hill condominium and heard from Representative Frank Smizik about pending "net metering" legislation that assures the benefits of CSS. To learn more about CSS, see http://www.masscec.com/programs/solarize-mass/town/brookline.

Brookline Symphony Orchestra Concert October 19The Brookline Symphony Orchestra http://www.brooklinesymphony.org/ fall concert on Sunday, October 19, will feature violinist John Guarino, winner of last year's Concerto Competition. He will be the soloist in the Violin Concerto No. 5 by Vieuxtemps. The program will begin with the Shostakovich "Festive Overture" and conclude with the Sibelius Symphony No. 3. Adam Boyles in the Music Director. The concert is at 8:00 pm at All Saint's Parish, 1773 Beacon Street (corner of Dean Road). Tickets are $10, and $5 for students and seniors

Mystery Health Epidemic in Brookline's Sister CityQuezalguaque, Nicaragua was designated Brookline's Sister City in 1987. More than ten years ago, the Sister City Project began researching concerns about a reported epidemic of chronic kidney disease in Quezalguaque, and the surrounding community. Since that time, more than 20,000 deaths have been reported in Nicaragua and other parts of Central America related to the epidemic. Professor Dan Brooks of the Boston University School of Public Health and member of the Health Committee of the Sister City Project has been in the forefront of the effort studying the causes of the epidemic and has led an international and interdisciplinary team.

Brookline Adult & Community Education is co-sponsoring a program on this mysterious health crisis Wednesday, 7:00-8:30 pm. October 22, MLK Room, Brookline High, Free; pre-registration is not required.On this evening Dr. Brooks will be joined by the Mayor of Brookline's Sister City and other experts on a panel to be chaired by Peter Stringham, M.D., chair of the Sister City Project Health Committee. This forum is part of a series of programs that are part of Brookline Sister City Week, October 19-25, 2014. For more information about other Brookline Sister City Week programs, see www.brooklinesistercity.org.

South Brookline Senior Social meets at the Putterham Branch Library in the Community Room on at 10:30 am. October 3 and 10 we will have Karen Wenc for Gentle Yoga sponsored by the Brookline Health Department. The social will conclude the series with a box lunch provided by Ed Coppinger, South Brookline State Representative. Come enjoy free kosher pastries (courtesy of Cheryl Ann's Bakery), coffee, tea and more. Meet your neighbors, make new friends, and have fun! For further information or to volunteer call Regina Millette Frawley at 617‐469‐0052. Reservations are recommended for Yoga and Box Lunch.

Second Saturday Senior Socials will meet October 11, 1:30 - 2:30pm, in the Conference Room of the Main Library on Washington Street. Guest speaker will be Selectman Ben Franco. He will keep you up to date on the latest information about the OVERRIDE and the November Town Meeting Agenda. Light refreshments will be served. Co-sponsored by the Trustees and the Friends of The Public Library of Brookline.

Events of Interest

October 20th Fall Foliage Trip 9:00 am‐6:00 pm Hobo Railroad Join us for a 15 mile, 80 minute, round trip train excursion to view the spectacular Fall foliage. While on board you will feast on a delicious turkey dinner catered by Hart's Turkey Farm.
Fee: Residents $50 Non‐Residents $68.Trip pick up/drop off will be at Soule Recreation Center or Brookline Senior Center. Register with the Brookline Recreation Department at 617-730-2069.